Hemp is a cannabis sativa plant commonly utilized for fiber, oil, food and medicine purposes. Though often confused with marijuana, hemp is actually an environmentally friendly and sustainable crop that can be grown alongside food crops for increased soil enrichment and greater yields [1].
Hemp grows quickly, helping farmers maximize their land. Its deep roots draw nutrients up from the ground into its leaves and stalks for easy uptake into its leaves and stalks; its organic matter produces is then ploughed back into the field as fertilizer to improve soil health. Cotton uses chemical and sulfate-based fertilizers which deplete it of its essential nutrients [1].
Hemp is not only an effective crop but an efficient fuel source as well. Its central core, or “hurd,” can be made into biodiesel fuel which burns cleanly with reduced emissions [2]. Furthermore, hemp plant seeds contain healthy fats such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which have been shown to support cardiovascular and heart health. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help lower triglycerides and cholesterol, lower blood pressure, prevent atherosclerosis, and help protect against atherosclerosis, while diets containing an appropriate balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may lower heart disease risk through increasing production of nitric oxide to dilate arteries and veins thereby improving circulation and heart health overall [3].
Hemp bast fibers boast the highest concentration of cellulose among botanical fibers at 85%, but to make them useful, lignin must first be extracted using chemical processes. Although this requires considerable amounts of energy and water consumption, the end result can be raw hemp that can be spun into yarn or woven into textiles; or used as insulation material between concrete blocks, stucco or plaster surfaces or mixed with lime to produce cement [4].
Hemp is an essential crop for our environment as it grows quickly while using less water than cotton does, while simultaneously enriching soil by increasing aeration and strengthening structure [5]. Hemp’s deep roots act as natural weed control, making it easy to grow in fields already planted with crops that take longer to mature. Furthermore, hemp can also be planted alongside crops requiring additional nutrients or deeper soil conditions that require additional nourishment in order to thrive. Hemp can enhance agricultural efficiency and increase crop yields by decreasing time and resources needed to regenerate land between crops, as well as providing military uniforms, rope, canvas products, and even featured in a 1942 movie called Hemp for Victory [6].
